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Jonathan Trott struck his seventh Test half-century before rain brought a premature end to day one of the first Test between England and India at Lord's.

Playing in his first Test match against the world number one-ranked nation, Trott rode his luck when presenting Rahul Dravid with two chances at slip and made the tourists pay by steering England to 127-2 in the 49.2 overs possible.

An early tea was taken with Trott unbeaten on 58 and Kevin Pietersen 22 not out, however dark clouds surrounded Lord's and persistent rain meant no further play was possible.

India, who had started the day so well by dismissing openers Alastair Cook (12) and Andrew Strauss (22) either side of lunch, will now be sweating on the man who dismissed both, Zaheer Khan, after he hobbled off the field with an apparent hamstring injury midway through his 14th over.

Having won the toss and opted to bowl there were encouraging early signs for the Indian seamers, with Zaheer's first ball moving significantly into Strauss and Praveen Kumar finding some lavish swing from the Pavilion End.

After causing the England openers plenty of problems, it came as no surprise when Zaheer trapped Cook on the crease in the 11th over to claim the breakthrough.

Strauss, who had one near miss from a run-out, recorded his first boundary after 48 balls off Ishant Sharma, with new man Trott also finding the ropes after another loose delivery from the wayward seamer.

Spinner Harbhajan Singh was given the 19th over and almost saw off Trott with his first ball, which went straight on and took the edge. Dravid, at slip, did not get down quickly enough though and the chance went begging.

England reached lunch on 43-1 and, just as it appeared as though batting conditions were improving, Strauss undid 25 overs of watchful work by looking to pull a Zaheer bouncer from outside off stump.

He was hurried for pace and top-edged it low on the bat, giving Ishant Sharma a simple catch at fine leg.

Pietersen endured a nervy start, taking 14 balls to get off the mark and looking ill at ease as Sharma tightened up his line and length.

Zaheer had bowled 33 consecutive dot balls when he finally located Trott's edge, only for the ball to squirm between wicketkeeper and first slip. Mahendra Singh Dhoni or Dravid could have pouched it, but neither man put a hand on it to give the right-hander a second life on 32.

A single off the next ball took England past three figures but worse was to follow for India when Zaheer pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury and left the field in some discomfort.

Trott eased Harbhajan for four through the covers as England looked to break the shackles, but Pietersen almost perished to a rash stroke, skying one just over mid-on off the spinner.

Trott's 50 came up off 89 balls before dark skies and heavy drizzle took the teams off early.